Devine Scripture

Acts 1:10

What does Acts 1:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 1:10 means

As the disciples continued to gaze intently into the sky where Jesus had ascended, "two men in white apparel" suddenly appeared beside them. These figures, understood to be angels, draw the disciples' attention away from their fixed upward glance. This unexpected appearance signals a divine interjection, providing comfort and further instruction following the significant event they had just witnessed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And while they were looking up to heaven with great attention, two men came to them, in white clothing,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and as they were looking stedfastly to the heaven in his going on, then, lo, two men stood by them in white apparel,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as they were gazing into heaven, as he was going, behold, also two men stood by them in white clothing,

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' ascension in verse 9, capturing the disciples' stunned reaction as they watched Him depart. The appearance of the two men in white apparel serves as a divine intervention, preventing the disciples from lingering in confusion or sorrow. These figures will provide a crucial prophetic message, shifting the disciples' focus from the past event to a future promise.

v.9And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

v.10This passage

v.11who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 16:5

    And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed.

  • Acts 10:30

    And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,

  • 2 Kings 2:11

    And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

  • Daniel 7:9

    I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.

  • Acts 10:3

    He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

  • Matthew 17:2

    and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.

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